Former Gov. Paterson headed to MTA board

Former Gov. Paterson headed to MTA board

David Paterson with Andrew Cuomo in 2006.

ALBANY Former Gov. David Patersons long and winding road through state government is about to land him on the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where he will replace Paul McCartneys wife, the Daily News has learned.

After a tumultuous tenure in the governors mansion, the surprise appointment of the scandal-scorched Paterson to the unpaid position is expected Monday. The ex-governor the latest in a string of pols selected for important posts by Gov. Cuomo will replace Nancy Shevell, who resigned from the board in January, not lon g after marrying the legendary Beatle.

I cant say I really ever imagined this would happen, but this governor has asked, and Im honored, Paterson said. It will be quite exciting.

Patersons nearly three-year run as governor, which was marred by a slew of controversies and the states worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, concluded at the end of 2010.

Since then, he has hosted a daily talk-radio show on WOR-AM and taught a college class.

Despite his considerable political baggage, Patersons appointment is seen by some insiders as a nod to the black community a part of the electorate with which Cuomo has had his ups and downs.

Paterson, the states first black governor, said he was first approached about the MTA board post by his former chief of staff, Larry Schwartz, who has the same role under Cuomo.

Paterson, who is legally blind, said he immediately accepted, not caring that he will go from running one of the biggest state governments to being just one voice on a 23-member board. Ive been the head enough, he said, referring to his time in the governors mansion. I dont mind being a soldier for a while.

A former state senator and lieutenant governor, Paterson admits he does not have a wealth of experience on transportation issues. But he did deal with the MTA while he was governor, and hired Jay Walder, considered by many to be one of the agencys best chairmen in recent times. One thing I did for the three years I was governor was take tough stands, and I think that is going to be of some service, Paterson said.

During his tenure which began in 2008 when Eliot Spitzer resigned as governor amid a sex scandal the budget-challenged state Legislature committed to funding only the first two years of the MTAs five-year capital plan. Cuomo and the Legislature this year fully funded the remaining years.

Paterson was responsible for the creation of a controversial payroll t ax on businesses and schools that helped fund the MTA. Cuomo signed off on a partial repeal of the tax last year a move Paterson said he agrees with.

Shortly after he succeeded Spitzer, Patersons rocky governorship started with him admitting to extramarital affairs and past drug use.

He was investigated for his involvement in the aftermath of a domestic violence incident involving one of his closest aides. He was also fined a record $ 62,000 by a state ethics panel for improperly accepting free tickets to Game 1 of the 2009 Yankees-Phillies World Series. He avoided a perjury rap in that case.

But he will also be remembered for sounding an early alarm about the impending economic collapse, as well as developing a tactic that strengthens the governors hand in dealing with the Legislature during budget negotiations.

klovett@nydailynews.com